Marchand was due to be a free agent at the end of 2012-13 and is very excited to be back in Boston for the next four years. He wasn't available for a conference call Friday afternoon as he was out moose hunting with his father in Newfoundland, but provided a statement.

"We have such a great team and we’re going to be a very strong team for years to come," Marchand said. "And I think we can have the opportunity here to do some very good things and especially make a couple of good runs at the Cup."

Last season, the 24-year-old ranked second on the team with 28 goals, which established a new career-high. He was fifth overall in points (55) and was one of five Bruins with a plus/minus rating over 30 (plus-31) to rank fifth in the league.

"We all enjoy watching Brad play. As a general manager I really enjoying watching him play," Chiarelli said via conference call. "His in your face game, he sacrifices his body, and he's really coming into his own as an offensive player."

Marchand played a pivotal role in the team's 2010-11 Stanley Cup championship where he scored 11 goals to rank him second on the team behind center David Krejci (12).